Coin-operated vending apparatus.



PATENTED AUG. l, 1905.

J. .n PATTERSON. COIN OPERATED VENDING APPARATUS I APPLIOATION FILLEDAPR. 26, 1902.

' 3 SHEETS-.SHEET 2.

AHI' AAA UNTTED sTATEs PATinvT OFFICE.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 1, 1905.

Application iiled April 26. 1902. Serial No. 104,752.

To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES W. PATTERSON, ofthe city, county, and State ofNew York, have invented an Improvement in Coin-Operated VendingApparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to coin-controlled vending-machines; vand itconsists of certain improvements, all of which are fully set forth inthe following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings,which form a part thereof.

The object of my invention is to provide a construction of apparatuswhich shall upon the deposition of the coin and its movement undermechanical hand manipulation deliver the contents of a receptacle, butunlike the usual vending-machines shall not be reset for tain thearticle for the purchase or use of' which the coin is deposited, meansfor holding it securely in sealed condition, coin-controlledhand-operated means for unlocking or v releasing the article andretaining the recep-y tacle in unlocked condition, whereby it shall notreset or relock itself automatically.

My improvements also embody in suchl a mechanism a discharging-slot forthe coin and a hand -controlled retaining device for normally retainingthe coin against discharge,

but permitting the same to be discharged by the insertion of a suitablekey.

My invention also consists of many details of construction which will bebetter understood by reference to the drawings, in which- Figure 1 is avfront elevation of a vendingmachine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is aplan view of same. Fig. 3 is an inside elevation of" the coin-controlledunlocking mechanism removed, taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is across-section of Fig. l on line 4 4. Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view ofFig. l on line 5 5. Fig. 6 is al sectional plan view of Fig. l ou line 66. Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation of Fig. 5 on line 7 7 Fig. 8 is anelevation similar to Fig. 3, showing a modified form of my invention. lFig. 9 is a cross-sec- -tion of same on line 9 9, and Fig. 10 is across-section of same on line 10 10.

A is the box or case for containing the article. It is fitted'with avertically-movable iioor C, pressed upward by the springs D D and havingside guiding-arms c c. As shown, this floor C is adapted to support abox or package E, which when permitted is further elevated by a springOZ, carried by the floor C, as shown in Fig. 4. The top of the case A isprovided with a lid B, which is hinged at and adapted to be locked downin position by locking-plate F and its bolts f. In the particular formshown the arms c press upward against the under side of the lid andforce it open when released. At the same time that the lid is thrownback the article E is pushed up sufficiently high to enable it to beeasily grasped and removed.

The coin-controlledlock-operating mechanism is contained in theflat-plate structure G, which is, with the several operating parts,-formed by stamped sheet metal, thereby embodying cheapness, compactness,and simplicity of construction. The body portion of this structure isformed of a front' plate-and two rear plates stamped so as to receivethe locking-plate F, the coin-retaining plate K, and the coin-movingdisk I. The middle of the three fiat plates is divided vertically toconstitute the coin-passage H, which is enlarged at the middle to form araceway for the coin and its operating-disk I. This disk I is notched soas to form one or more fingers or hook shaped portions adapted t0 hookabout the edge of the coin and propel it forward. This disk I is rotatedby a handle J upon the outside and connecting with the disk by aspindle, as shown in Fig. 5.

The locking-plateF fits into a slotted portion g of one of the plates Grand is provided at the top with the hooked portion or bolts of thelocking-plate, and thereby become iD.-

strumental in shifting said plate and unlocking the lid. When the lid isunlocked and the handle J of the operating-disk I released, the coindrops down upon the retaining-plate K and remains there. Thisretaining-plate K is of the shape shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and 6,A havinga notched portion 7: forming a passage-way through which the coin maypass when such notch is brought into alinement with the coin-slot orraceway H in the plate structure G. This plate K iits into the recess Lin the plate structures and is pressed in one direction by a spring Z,so as to have its notch 7; out of alinement with the coin-slot H. It isalso provided with a lateral end which enters a slot M in the platestructure Gr and is adapted to be operated by the long shank m of thekey N being thrust into the slot and forcing back the plate K againstthe action of the spring l. In this manner the coin may be liberated andallowed to drop down through the coin-slot and removed. This structureobviates the necessity of a coin-receiving box or drawer and thecomplicated locking devices incident thereto. As shown, the end of theplate K is made wedge-shaped, so that if an attempt is made to liberatethe coin by inserting a wire or narrow article it will wedge the plateinstead of pushing it back.

It will be observed that the key-shank m is made notched to iit theshape of the plate a'nd insure its being readily moved. I do not con-Ene myself to any special shape of these parts, as theymay be greatlyvaried where greater security is required.

To relock the box, it is only necessary to press down the lid B and theninsert the shorter shank p of the key N into the slot P in the side ofthe plate structure Gr and push back vthe locking-plate, as shown inFig. 3.

I have shown in Figs. 8, 9, and l0 a somewhat modiiied construction ofthe coin-propeiling device and key-operated structure for dischargingthe coin, but the general features are the same as in the other figures.In this case the plate structure G has the laterallyreciprocatinglocking plate or part F2, provided with the locking-bolt portions fandthe coin-'actuated lug F3. The coin enters through the slot H and issupported by the retainingplate K in line with the lug F3 and also thepush-bar or hand-controlled movable part I for pushing the coin againstthe lug F3 to force back the plate F2. This push-bar I is moved outwardby a spring .I2 and is provided with a knob or hand operated part J. Theplate F2 is pushed back, as before, by the end p of the key N beinginserted through the slot P in theframe G. The retaining-plate K isguided in a slot L and is normally held in retaining position by aspring l of any suitable construction. This plate K is also providedwith a downwardly-extending lug K2, which comes just above the line withthe key-slot M. The key N has a long shank m, having a springtongue n,the nose of which extends upward, as shown in Fig. 8. When the key isentered into the slot M, the nose n. is forced inward and springsoutward again when it passes the inner end of the slot. At this place itis in position t0 catch upon the lug Kof the retaining-plate and push itback to release the coin. When the key is withdrawn, the plate K ismoved back by the spring Z. The insertion of a rod or wire instead ofthe special key will not reach the lug K2, and hence the lock cannot beeasily picked. Of course it is evident that this principle ofconstruction can be made more intricate where greater security againstpicking the lock is required, but for ordinary purposes it is notnecessary, especially so when used in theaters or public places.

It will be observed that this machine is only for vending or deliveringa single article or making a single delivery for one coin and is notintended to reset itself, as is customary with vending-machines ascommonly found in use. Among the great merits of the apparatus hereinset out are that it is inexpensive to construct, is simple, takes smallspace, and is not liable to get out of order.

Vhile the box is shown as for vending a box of confections, I wish it tobe understood that its special use is immaterial, as it may be adaptedfor any article, whether permanently removed or only removed fortemporary use. Its shape may be varied and the mode of liberating thearticle may be varied as found most desirable. Therefore while I preferthe construction here set out the details may be varied withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

I. In a vending-machine, the combination of a case to contain thearticle, a movable part to lock the article in the case, and acoin-controlled unlocking device consisting of a frame having acoin-slot open to the outside at both ends and formed throughout in asingle plane, an unlocking device for the movable part formed of asliding plate provided with locking parts and arranged to -one side butparallel to the coin-slot and provided with a lateral lug directlyoperated by the movable part and coin to release the article, and ahandoperated part to move the coin through the slot and positivelyagainst the lateral lug` of the unlocking device to cause it to slidefor unlocking the movable part.

2. In a vending-machine, the combination of a case to contain thearticle, a movable part to lock the article in the case, and acoin-controlled unlocking device consisting of a frame having acoin-slot open to the outside at both ends and formed throughout in asingle plane, an unlocking device for the movable part formed of asliding plate provided with locking parts and arranged parallel to thecoinveeoo slot and operated by the coin to release the article, a handoperated part to` move the coin through the slot and positively againstthe unlocking device to cause it to slide for unlocking the movablepart, and a springactuated sliding retaining device adapted to slide inthe plane of the coin-slot to normally assume a position to hold thecoin after moving the unlocking device and adapted to be moved by handagainst the action of the spring to release thecoin and permit it topass out of the coinslot and then reset itself upon re` moval of thekey.

3. In a vending-machine, the combination of a case to contain thearticle, a movable part to lock the article in the case, and acoin-controlled unlocking device arranged'vvholly at one sideof the caseand consisting of a 'frame having a coin-slot open to the outside atboth ends and arranged throughout in one plane, an unlocking device forthe movable part consisting of a fiat sliding part or plate operateddirectly by the coin to release the article and adapted to remain Wheremoved, a hand-operated part to move the coin in the slot and against theunlocking device for unlocking the movable part, a spring-actuatedretaining device adapted to slide in the plane ot' the coin-slot tonormally hold the coin after m'oving the unlocking device, andkey-passages opening through the outside of the case and extendingrespectively to the unlocking device and the retaining device for theinsertion of keysv to move them.

4. In a vending-machine, the combination of a case to contain thearticle, a movable part to lock the article in the case, and acoin-controlled unlocking device arranged Wholly at one side of the caseand consisting of a frame having a coin-slot open to the outside at bothends and arranged throughout in oneplane, an unlocking device for themovable part consisting ofa flat sliding part or plate operated directlyby the coin to release the article, a key-passage opening through theoutside of the case and extending to the locking device for theinsertion of a key to move it'for locking the movable part, `and ahand-operated part to move the coin in the' slot and against theunlocking device for unlocking the movable part and releasing thearticle.

5. In a vending-machine, the combination of a case to contain thearticle, a movable lid to lock the articlein the case, a spring-actuatedsupport for the article Within the case adapted to cause the lid to beraised and held in raised position independently of the article and alsoto cause the article to be moved out of f the case When ,the lid isunlocked, and al coin` plane, an unlocking device for the movable partto lock the article in the case, a spring-actuated support for thearticle Within the case adapted to cause it to be moved out of the caseWhen unlocked formed of spring-supported ioor for pressing out themovable part or lid and a spring carried thereby for elevating thearticle relatively to the floor, and a coin-controlled unlocking deviceconsisting of a frame having a coin-slot open to the outside at bothends, an unlocking device for the movable part operated by the coin torelease the article, and a hand-operated part to move the coin in theslot and against the unlocking device for unlocking the movable part.

7. In a vending-machine a case having a lid hinged at its rear, combinedWith a springactuated movable support Within the case adapted to rise toelevate the article and to hold the lidfrom closing'after it is raisedand the lid in a closed position and for holding the spring-actuatedsupport in a depressed position, and a coin-controlled device arrangedWholly at the front of the case for controlling the lock.

8. In a vending-machine, the combination of the case A having a pivotedlid B, with the movable iioor C having side arms c reaching to theunderside ofthe lid for elevating it,springs to move the licor upward, aspring carried by the movable floor for elevating the article relativelyto the floor, and a coin-controlled locking device for normally holdingthe lid closed.

9. In a-vending-machine the combination of a case to contain thearticle, a movable lid for the case free to rise or fall, a movable partto lock the lid in closed position to secure the article inthe case, acoin-controlled unlocking device having meansjadapted to act upon thecoin for unlocking the movable part which locks the lid, and aspring-actuated support continuously pressing upward against the lidadapted to rise to lift and directly hold the lid of the case in an openposition when released.

In testimony of which invention I hav hereunto set my hand.

JAMES W. PATTERSON. Witnesses:

W. J. HoWEY, E. M. VAN Loon.

